Joan Marie Barringer

Joan Marie Barringer, 69, of Fairfax, Virginia passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Born in Washington, DC on September 30, 1955, to John T. Barringer Jr. and Regina (Breves) Barringer, Joan was a vibrant soul who lived life to its fullest and left a lasting impression on anyone who met her.

Joan entered this life as a happy, enthusiastic and curious child who would charm everyone in the room with her outgoing nature and advanced conversational skills.

Her brother, Tom, soon arrived and they were very close in the early years, often being mistaken for twins.

Her sister, Claudia, came along a number of years later and Joan felt a motherly-instinct to love, guide and protect her.

Her father, John, was a very thoughtful, patient and kind man, a safe haven from any storm, who gave Joan the gifts of knowledge, philosophy and loquacity.

Her mother, Regina, was very intelligent, talented and strong-willed, and gave Joan the gifts of Brazilian culture, bilingualism, artistic abilities, decisiveness and a backbone.

Joan's childhood in Alexandria, Virginia was shared with her large family of aunts, uncles and cousins on her father's side. She was able to spend ample time with the nearby Curtis clan and made frequent trips to North Carolina.

Joan loved visiting with her paternal grandparents, John and Katherine, in Salisbury, North Carolina (which she often described as a true-to-life "Mayberry"). She would marvel at the ingenious Rube Goldberg machines that her grandfather had rigged up to perform mundane tasks. And she would also remember how her grandmother would give the most sincere, fully-enveloping and loving hugs you could imagine.

Joan periodically traveled to Brazil to spend time living with her maternal grandmother, Yolanda (poet, pianist), and step grandfather, Mario (diplomat, ambassador). The years spent in Brazil with her grandparents, while Joan was ages 11-13, were some of the most formative years of her life. Joan blossomed during that time--writing poetry with her grandmother, singing opera, studying piano, attending diplomatic events, traveling to numerous countries, swimming across the Rio bay, and hiking with her grandfather. This period also allowed her to get to know, and bond with, her Breves cousins and extended family in Brazil.

Joan grew closer to her stepsister, Jeanne, when they had the opportunity to live near each other during various periods of their lives. Joan always remembered Jeanne as being smart, easygoing and having a great sense of humor. Joan and Jeanne bonded even more the last time they were together.

Joan's stepmother, Pauline, is intelligent, wise, practical and generous, and continued to be loving, caring and supportive for the rest of Joan's life.

One of Joan's happiest moments was when Pauline asked her to officiate at her own father's private memorial service--Joan felt so honored to perform the ceremony in a ministerial capacity--and often pondered as to whether that was meant to be the final purpose of her miraculously extended life.

To Be Continued . . .

Much to be added

Joan was a lifelong student, graduating with honors from T.C. Williams High School (Alexandria, Virginia) in 1973; attending Catawba College (Salisbury, North Carolina) and completing her Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies at George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia) in 1981; earning her Master of Education in Counseling and Development from George Mason University in 1999; receiving her Bachelor of Metaphysical Science from the University of Metaphysics (Sedona, Arizona) in 2013; and attaining a Master of Metaphysical Science from the University of Metaphysics in 2019. She was in the process of writing her doctoral dissertation for a PhD in Holistic Life Counseling from the University of Sedona.

She was a multi-talented individual who lived in the moment, thriving in any role that she pursued -- artist, photographer, writer, poet, published author, avid reader, book reviewer, singer, dancer, model, guitarist, scholar, teacher, novice, reverend, counselor, hypnotherapist, psychic, wayshower, humanitarian volunteer, nutrition advocate, healthy cook, nature lover, walker, hiker, interior decorator, garden designer, speaker, event coordinator, group facilitator, preschool director, tutor, business owner, handywoman, convention worker, marketer, retail cashier, linguist, translator, interpreter, travel agent, hotel clerk, stewardess, candy striper, girl scout leader, fast food worker, waitress, expediter, government worker, vip guide, typist, switch board operator, poll worker, real estate enthusiast, landlord, world traveler and lifetime student -- to name a few.

Joan is survived by her partner of 31 years, Anna; her best friend of 45 years, Rachel; her brother Tom (Vickie); her sister Claudia (Jack); her stepmother Pauline; her stepsister Jeanne (Jennie); as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a few (aunts) and (uncles), in the US and Brazil.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health in Joan's memory.

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A Visitation

will be held from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Monday, September 29, 2025 at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032.

A Graveside Service

will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. Family and guests should gather at the funeral home.

[Followed by]

A Celebration of Life Service

will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health in Joan's memory.